5 Changes in Employment Law You Should Know About

• Increase in Financial Penalties
  Employers who are found to be in breach of workers' rights can now be made to pay up to £20,000 (increased from £5,000) as a penalty by employment tribunals.
  
  This will apply to breaches which occur after 6 April 2019. Such penalties remain rare, however.
  
  
• National Living Wage
  On 1 April 2019, the National Living Wage for adults aged 25 or over increased to £8.21 per hour (previously £7.83).
  
  
• Itemised Payslips
  From 6 April 2019, employers are required by law to give itemised payslips, to all workers (in addition to employees), which show what hours they have worked and if there are any variations in pay.
  
  
• Workers Statement of Particulars
  Whereas only employees were previously entitled to a written statement setting out their employment particulars, those with 'worker' status are now also entitled to such a statement. This will apply to workers who commenced employment after 6 April 2020.
  
  

• Threshold on Consultation
  Where an employee makes a request for their employer to give information and consult employees about economic and employment related matters, previously 15% of the workforce had to be in support of the request. 

  From 6 April 2020, this percentage threshold will be lowered to 2%, which will make it much easier for employees to organise group consultations.

For further information on these changes and how they may impact your business, please contact Helen Clayton in our Employment team on 0117 314 5457.